Telemarketing is a term commonly applied to sales that are made by telephone or by marketing products on television.

Commonwealth legislation including the Australian Consumer Law (see Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Schedule 2) and the Telecommunications Act 1991 (Cth) applies to sales made through electronic media such as the telephone or television. The use of services such as cable television may complicate consumer remedies even further.

Sales made through the use of electronic media are a relatively new, but rapidly expanding area. Issues of concern include:

Where disputes arise the Australian Direct Marketing Association has a code of conduct which determines acceptable behaviour of traders, but this code is only binding on the association's members. In addition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has in place a Code of Practice on Distance Selling for telemarketing, mail orders and other forms of direct marketing where consumers buy goods or services without visiting the trader's premises. It covers:

Do not call register

This is a service provided by the Australian government to enable people to be excluded from telemarketer lists. Registration is free and can be done online, by phone or by post. Once your name has been registered telemarketers are legally prohibited to stop contacting you; however, it can take up to 30 days for telemarketing firms to receive the latest updates to the register so the effect of registration is not necessarily immediate.

There are exemptions for public interest organisations such as charities and political parties.

There is a complaints process if you believe there has been a breach of the register. For more information see the Do Not Call website.